16 C-U eateries failed health inspections from May-November 2018

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Chicken blood dripping down the inside of refrigerators and floor drains backing up with black liquids.

Employees failing to sanitize surfaces between preparing raw and ready-to-eat foods and also wiping their faces and noses with their gloves on.

These were among the violations leading to the failures of 16 Champaign County food establishments during routine health inspections.

From May 1 to Oct. 31, public health officials temporarily closed or failed 16 restaurants, eateries and cafes, according to a review of inspection records from the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.

Inspectors failed eight restaurants between Jan. 1 and April 30.

An establishment fails its routine inspection if it receives an adjusted score of 35 or less on a 100-point scale. Those scores are adjusted for repeated and critical violations.

Establishments are immediately closed if they have critical violations that prove to be a health threat to the public or if their scores fall below zero. Restaurants that receive a score between zero and 35 can stay open as long as they are re-inspected within 30 days. Establishments can also be shut down if they fail to pay their annual permit fee.

The Wendy's located on 2003 N. Prospect Ave. in Champaign is one of the six restaurants that was closed in the past six months.

An inspector noted several "violations of the rules and regulations" during an Aug. 21 inspection. The chain received an adjusted failing score of 23.

Among the violations cited were vanilla mix sitting in the frosty machine's hopper at 44-47 degrees, causing the mix to be thrown out and the machine condemned; improper storage of tomatoes, raw beef patties and butter; and a moldy ice machine.

A re-inspection was conducted Sept. 17, and inspectors found repeat violations from their previous inspection. The inspector again found raw beef patties and tomatoes being improperly stored. The Wendy's was promptly closed and had its health permit suspended.

As of Sept. 19, the restaurant was re-inspected and passed with an adjusted score of 93 and no critical violations.

Other restaurants that were temporarily closed include:

DNB Restaurant, 715 S. Neil St., C. Health inspectors temporarily closed the restaurant Aug. 25 after failing a routine inspection with an adjusted score of 17 and 10 critical violations. Records show raw meat and fresh vegetables were being prepared on the same prep area; walls above food prep areas were covered in aluminum foil, which was covered in dried raw meat; and raw meat was found on shelving and under prep tables. Operations immediately ceased and all equipment was sanitized before it could resume food services.

The restaurant passed its re-inspection Sept. 5 with an adjusted score of 96.

Hardee's, 1806 W. Bradley Ave., C. The restaurant was shut down following an Oct. 26 complaint. Inspectors found the roof to be leaking and water pouring onto the food preparation table as well as the food.

A follow-up visit was conducted Oct. 27 and the restaurant was allowed to reopen.

KFC & A&W, 1321 N. Dunlap Ave., Savoy. The health department closed the restaurant Aug. 22 due to "gross, unsanitary conditions" during its routine inspection. No details were provided in the report.

Kung Fu Tea, 707 S. Sixth St., C. The cafe failed its routine inspection Oct. 3 with an adjusted score of 20 and nine critical violations and was temporarily shut down for a day. Records show raw chicken blood and liquids were dripping down the fridge, more than 14 employee drinks were found throughout the restaurant and floor drains were backing up with black liquids.

The cafe passed its re-inspection Oct. 17 with an adjusted score of 96 and zero critical violations.

Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, 201 E. John St., C. The health department suspended the food service permit during a May 7 re-inspection, as an inspector found repeat violations from an April inspection, including six critical violations. Raw meat was being stored over ready-to-eat food, and milk left on a dispenser table was not labeled for seven day use.

The fraternity received an adjusted score of 30. The report noted: "Inspector began to discuss the violations with the food service employee, but the tone and language of the employee grew threatening. Inspection was halted at this point and the inspector left the facility."

The food service permit passed its re-inspection Aug. 13 with an adjusted score of 96 and no critical violations.

Champaign County food establishments that failed public health inspections but were not temporarily closed include:

➜ Burger King, 720 W. Champaign Ave., Rantoul. The restaurant failed its routine inspection June 19 with an adjusted score of 26 and six critical violations.

Inspectors noted soiled floors, ice machine buckets being left open, and that the restaurant was leaving tomatoes on the prep line for too long.

It passed a re-inspection July 30 with an adjusted score of 74 and one critical violation.

Those included employees handling raw meat and ready-to-eat food with the same gloves, several food items did not have their date of preparation labeled, and tuna was thawing at room temperature outside of a cooler.

It passed a re-inspection Sept. 20 with an adjusted score of 74 and one critical violation.

➜ Dairy Queen, 1501 Lyndhurst Alley, Savoy. The restaurant failed its routine inspection May 2 with an adjusted score of 30 and six critical violations.

Violations included an employee exiting the rest room, drinking a personal drink and resuming work without the employee washing their hands; leaking pipes from hand sinks; and a can opener soiled with dried food debris.

It passed a re-inspection June 4 with an adjusted score of 78 and one critical violation.

Records show that house flies were present in the kitchen and coming into contact with food surfaces and clean equipment, the dish machine was not hot enough to sanitize and food was opened and failed to have a label date.

It passed a re-inspection Nov. 19 with an adjusted score of 59 and three critical violations.

➜ KungFu BBQ, 510 E. John St., Champaign. The restaurant failed its routine inspection Oct. 15 with an adjusted score of 29 and six critical violations.

Health inspectors noted that proof of food handler training was not provided for all employees, a bag of dumpling dough was molded and employees were using improper cooling methods.

It passed a re-inspection Nov. 14 with an adjusted score of 67 and one critical violation.